Saquon Barkley hits 2,000 Yards: What should happen on Sunday vs the New York Giants

Saquon Barkley’s first season with the Philadelphia Eagles has already cemented itself as one for the history books.

On Sunday, with his team cruising to a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Barkley became just the ninth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season.

Eagles Playoff Scenarios: Locked in at the No. 2 seed, here’s who Philly could play Wildcard Weekend

But with the Eagles locking up the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, a new question looms: should Nick Sirianni give Barkley a shot at Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-old rushing record, or should he rest his star back for the postseason?

Saquon 2K

The anticipation on the Eagles’ sideline was palpable as Barkley entered the fourth quarter just 48 yards shy of the milestone. Players like Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson hyped up the offensive line, knowing history was within reach. Barkley delivered in vintage fashion:

• Six straight carries: 6 yards, 11 yards, 3 yards, 9 yards, and finally, a 23-yard burst up the left sideline to hit 2,005 yards on the season.
• A timeout for celebration: Head coach Nick Sirianni pulled Barkley from the game to a roaring ovation at Lincoln Financial Field.

“I’m not going to lie, just being a fan of the game and the running back position, to reach a milestone and put myself up there with eight other backs that I respect, and some of them I grew up watching, definitely means a lot,” Barkley said.

Saquon Barkley is the 9th player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season

101 Yards Away

While Saquon Barkley’s 2,005 rushing yards are remarkable, he’s now just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984.

The storyline couldn’t be more poetic—Barkley would chase history against his former team, the New York Giants, who let him walk in free agency.

The problem? The game is meaningless for the Eagles’ playoff seeding.

After the Minnesota Vikings secured the No. 1 seed with a win over Green Bay, Philadelphia’s fate as the NFC’s second seed is locked in.

Nick Sirianni must weigh the risks of injury against the reward of making history. “We’ll always do what’s best for these guys,” Sirianni said after Sunday’s win, which could mean playing guys or resting them, depending on the mindset.

There’s the Eagles and then Saquon Barkley:

For Barkley, the decision isn’t simple. While he’s clearly tempted by the chance to etch his name atop the record books, he remains focused on the bigger picture.

“The way I look at it, if it’s in God’s plan, then it is,” Barkley said. “I’m not overly trying to go get it. I’m not scared of it. I would love to. But at the end of the day, we’ve got bigger things that we’re focusing on.”

His teammates, however, are split:

• Lane Johnson: “Better be safe than sorry. Eric Dickerson’s record was set in 16 games, anyway.”
• A.J. Brown: “Get it done but be safe. I want to say I was part of Saquon’s team when he did that.”
• Darius Slay: “I would love for him to have the record, especially after what Dickerson said—that was not cool.”

‘Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not’: Somebody please remind Eric Dickerson that records are meant to be broken

Breaking Dickerson’s record isn’t easy, even with an extra game on the schedule. Adrian Peterson came close in 2012, finishing with 2,097 yards. Derrick Henry had a dominant 2020 season but fell short at 2,027 yards.

Barkley acknowledges the challenges of comparisons across eras:

• On O.J. Simpson’s 14-game 2,000-yard season: “It’s kind of hard to rush for 2,000 yards in 14 games. Whether it’s 16, whether it’s 17, it’s a feat you can never take away.”

What will Nick Sirianni do on Sunday vs Giants?

Sirianni’s cautious approach to Barkley’s 2,000-yard milestone suggests he may lean toward resting his star. But as Saquon Barkley himself put it, the decision rests with the coach:

“I came here to do something special, and obviously breaking the record is special. But I want a banner up there. I think we all do.”

With the playoffs looming and the Eagles eyeing a Super Bowl run, Sirianni has a delicate balancing act ahead. Play Barkley, and history could be made. Rest him, and the Eagles ensure their workhorse is fresh for the postseason.

Either way, Barkley’s 2024 season will be remembered as one of the best by a running back in NFL history—record or not.

My Opinion: Scared Money Don’t Make No Money

Screw it. Let Saquon Barkley go for NFL history. At least give him an opportunity and if he isn’t close by halftime then pull the plug and rest everyone the second half. Have some fun. Scared money don’t make no money. Go Birds.

Join The Chase